Improvement in albums



J. KENA.

Albuml No. 215,524. Patented May 20,1879.

N.FETRS, FHOTO-UTHOGRLPHER. WASHINGTON. D. C.

All

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.,

JOHN KENA, OF DOVVAGIAO, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN ALBUMS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 215,524, dated May 20, 1879 application filedV October 24, 1878.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN KENA, of Dowagiac, in the county of Cass and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photograph-Albums, as fully set forth in the following specicationLreference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The nature of my invention relates to books composed of tablets which are arranged for the reception of photographic pictures; and it consists, rst, in the construction of wooden covers, with a device for securing the book therein; secondly, in the manner of llexibly securing the tablets or leaves to the bindingedge; and, thirdly, in the construction of wooden-leaf tablets, arranged with removable frames for the reception of the photographic pictures.

In the drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view of a photographic album embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 represents a cross-section of the back portion ofthe same. Fig. 3 represents an enlarged section of a flexible leaf-joint. Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section through an album-leaf; Fig. 5, an elevation of one of the picture frames detached, and Fig. 6 is an end view of the same, showing the tongues. l

A A are the book-covers, and B the back, all of Which is made of Wood elaborately ornamented with inlaid veneers. A piece of canvas or leather, b, is secured in the back, and is inserted into the rear edges of book-covers, thus ilexibly connecting the same. The covers are'provided with metallic clasps O for locking the same. Wooden strips a, at the inner back-adjoining edges `of the covers A, will cover and hold the projecting iiaps F of the binding-edge of the book, either by gluing or by small wood-screws, so that a book can beremovably secured in the covers by an unskilled person. Small brackets c are secured upon the internal face Vends of the back B for concealing the binding-edge ends of the book.

D D D are the several album-leaves, each being arranged for the reception of four pictures,

between the central and exterior veneers for the reception of the picture-frames d, which are composed of two thicknesses of veneer, the lower one of which being larger, so that on three sides its edges will project beyond the edges of the upper veneer, thusforming tongues d for entering and matching with the grooves around the openings in the "leaf, and for sliding the same in and out. The lower veneer of the picture-frame d is cut out to suit the exterior size of the picture, thus forming a receptacle for the same.

By this arrangement, as will be seen, each frame (l can be withdrawn from the leaf D, to

be replaced after inserting the picture, which is far superior to the slip-pockets now generally adopted in albums.

Each leaf D has attached to its hind edge a narrow strip, E, of equal thickness therewith, and both are joined together by short pieces of canvas or ribbons e, secured at opposite sides With one'end upon the leaf D and with the other end upon the strip E, and so that the several ties e will cross each other, whereby a lexibleconnection is formed, which will hold the edges of the leaves securely in their position, and yet will permit the same to turn easy in either direction independently of the thickness of said leaves. Said strips E, at their opposite edges, are glued or otherwise secured upon a ilap of canvas or leather, F, side by side, the projecting edges of said ap being placed under the strips a for holding the leaves to the cover, as has been already described.

B y the interposition of the strips E between the leaves and the binding-edge the said leaves will unfold to better advantage; besides that, the double flexible joints thus obtained will insure the same against wearing at these points.

An album thus made and arranged combines great durability with beauty, is better` adapted for inserting or exch( n gin g the pictures therein without damaging the same, and protects the pictures better against rough handling than albums of the former style.

My device of wooden covers with the strips a, for securing the binding-edges of the book, will be an advantage for common books as well as for albums.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. The wooden book-coverherein described,

and composed of the leaves A A and the back B, ieXibly joined together by the flap b, and having the strips a for holding the bindingedges of the book, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. The album-leaves D, eaeh composed of live (more or less) layers of veneer, with grooved openings for the reception ofthe picture-frames d, also made of veneers, and arranged with ltongues cl, for sliding the sanne in and out of the leaves D, the same to be constructed and arranged to operate substantially in the inanner and for the purpose set forth.

3. The strips E, secured upon the flap F, and

exibly connected to the leaves D by crossed ribbons e, substantially in the 'manner described, for the purpose specified. f

4. The album-leaves D, arranged With sliding frames d, and connected to liap F and strips E by ribbons e, in the manner described, in combination. with the Wooden covers A, having strips a, and back B, and strips a, the Whole to be constructed and arranged substantially as herein set forth.

JOHN KENA. Witnesses:

B. W. SCHERMERHORN, JOHN SNIDER. 

